What do you think about the South African government's power to intercept and monitor our daily lives?

Question

I mean the cameras on the street is good for crime prevention. But what happens when this power shifts to intercepting regular cellphones and our REAL privacy?

Answer 1

Monitoring cellphone communication is a logistical nightmare, you'd need as many people listening as there are phone calls made through the day, you'd need more people during peak hours too. Also God forbid if you made a call from the centre that was listening in on calls, there's a logistical nightmare and a half.

However, what they could implement is a program to listen for key words, I think they tried this in the USA a while back. But again the problem is that you just don't know if someone is a terrorist, or just talking about them.

So old fashioned police work to find criminals would work best.

Also cameras do not prevent crime, they merely document it and gather evidence. The only cameras that prevent crime are the ones in the UK that have built in speakers so they can yell at you if you're fighting, or if you drop garbage.

In the end I think the best crime prevention is to have a good community that doesn't allow for too much crime to happen. People that just don't stand for it, instead of people who are afraid.

Answer 2

I find it a little hypocritical, i mean if they had to monitor the few that work in the government instead, I´m sure they would solve half the crime that way.

If this is supposed to be about crime prevention then surely setting a good example from the top down will cost a lot less and be far more effective.

Humans are meant to be free, it is this which we fight for and continue to fight for every day, but I feel that actions like these only tighten the reigns on societies and stifles creativity, expression and therefore culture.

Answer 3

It's already happening. People suspected to be involved in crime are monitored. However, that is done through a court order.

I am just curious - the government is accused of doing nothing about crime. When they try to do something, they are accused of intruding into people's privacy. It shows that people are never satisfied. Whinging is our middle name!

Answer 4

It is all typical of a Communist regime. Power is centralised and the proletariat are spyed upon in case there are dissidents. Next the TV will be watching you instead of you watching it.

Answer 5

What do you think about the causes of the police action ?

Answer 6

Your Black ANC government is concerned that there may be subversive activity against them.

Answer 7

Big brother is really, really watching boet. Never forget !!!!!!!